Board of Trustees recap - April 11 and 12, 2013

Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion.

The Board of Trustees in different presentations on Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12, heard about a myriad of technological changes facing higher education. Those included:

A Thursday presentation on “Dynamic New Learning Environments” from Justina Brown, instructional designer, Multimedia and Faculty Development; John Farquhar, manager, Centers for Teaching, Learning & Technology; and Johann Neem, History faculty member and vice president, Faculty Senate. Brown and Farquhar discussed the emergence of MOOCS (massive open online courses) and also presented some examples of how Western faculty members are using new technologies in blended and flipped classrooms. Two of Neems’ students – Catrina Cuadra and Katie Wiggins– discussed with trustees the importance of faculty members providing guidance and inspiration to students, describing how that key component of the Western learning environment made an important difference in their learning.

On Friday, a presentation on “Western’s Online Learning” from Sociology instructor Laura Overstreet, who described how she creates rich, rigorous and engaging educational experiences within the online version of her "Sociology of the Family" course. In a second presentation, Chemistry Associate Professor Steven Emory described how the Chemistry Department has developed, implemented, and piloted online "virtual" labs for its introductory chemistry sequence.

In other business, the trustees:

Approved Housing and Dining rate increases for 2013-14.

Heard a presentation by Woodring College of Education Dean Francisco Rios, Karen Dade, associate dean for Wooding College, and Woodring Professor Bruce Larson on new national and federal pressures on teacher education and how Woodring College is responding to these pressures.

Were provided with a briefing on the 2013 legislative session by Sherry Burkey, associate vice president for University Relations.  Burkey provided an update on budgets for both the state House and Senate, with the next step involving the two legislative chambers working out their budget differences before the April 28 end of the regular session if they want to avoid going into special session.

Received an update on the comprehensive campaign by Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the WWU Foundation.

Heard a presentation on “Enhancing Human Resources Functions at Western” by Chyerl Wolfe-Lee, assistant vice president for Human Resources.

The trustees recognized:

Leonard Jones, who was hired as Western’s director of University Residences in the Division of Enrollment and Student Services.

 WWU’s German program, which recently received national recognition, as one of only two colleges and university programs in the country designated this year as a German Center of Excellence.

John Gilbertson, assistant professor of Chemistry, who received the National Science Foundation’s prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER), which supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

At a Friday luncheon, recognized many recently promoted and tenured faculty members

The credentials and accomplishments of these faculty members have been examined by their peers, tenure and promotion committees, department chairs, college deans, as well as the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Each person approved meets or exceeds the internal (college and all-university) and external (comparative, disciplinary, and professional) standards Western Washington University requires for promotion or tenure. This extensive review process confirms the merit of each faculty member’s teaching, research or creative activity, and service to the university and the community.  

  • Anderson, Amy (Mathematics Department)
  • Bedi, Robinder (Psychology Department)
  • Boudreaux, Andrew (Physics - Astronomy Department)
  • Brodhagen, Marion (Biology Department)
  • Burgess, Donald (Secondary Education)
  • Dagnon, Paula (Elementary Education)
  • Dubenion-Smith, Shannon (Modern and Classical Languages - Literature Department)
  • Folk, Holly (Liberal Studies Department)
  • Freeman, Jeanne (PEHR)
  • French, Kristen (Elementary Education)
  • Goodvin, Rebecca (Psychology Department)
  • Jones, Diana (Human Services and Rehabilitation)
  • Keller, Jennifer (Journalism Department)
  • Lopez, Abel (History Department)
  • Sampaio (Mozsgai), Cristina (Psychology Department)
  • Nielsen, Carolyn (Journalism Department)
  • Rivera, Lysa (English Department)
  • Romano, Rosalie (Secondary Education)
  • Sim, Khim (Accounting Department)
  • Suprak, David (PEHR)
  • Timmons-Flores, Maria (Elementary Education)
  • Treneer, Stephanie (Mathematics Department)

Promotion Only

  • Acevedo-Gutierrez, Alejandro (Biology Department)
  • Baker-Sennett, Jacquelyn (Human Services and Rehabilitation)
  • Benyi, Arpad (Mathematics Department)
  • Coskie, Tracy (Elementary Education)
  • Donnellan, Grant (Music Department)
  • Durham, Yvonne (Economics Department)
  • Friesen, John (Music Department)
  • King, Jeffrey (Psychology Department)
  • Lois, Jennifer (Sociology Department)
  • Lopresti, Robert (Wilson Library)
  • Mendes, Sebastian (Art Department)
  • Miller, Barbara (Art Department)
  • Woods, Steven (Communication Department)